Simple Raw Thread for 3.5 #28

[heavyfuel]

Re A134 C

A134C Nothing in the Listen skill indicates you can pinpoint a creature with it.

All it does is allow you to know that someone is there.

Of course it does, man. It's right there in the SRD:

A character can use Listen to notice the presence of an invisible creature (generally opposed by a Move Silently check). If the character beats the DC by 20 or more, he or she can pinpoint the location of the invisible creature, though it still maintains total concealment from the character (50% miss chance).

[Fax Celestis]

Being blind does not render other creatures invisible. Invisible is a specific status condition.

[heavyfuel]

Rules Compendium pg 114

Beating the DC by 20 allows you to pinpoint where a sound is coming from.

There. Doesn't matter if he's blind, the opponent is invisible. He beats the DC by 20, he knows where he is.

Indeed my previous answer wasn't proper. But it was right

[bjoern]

Rules Compendium pg 114



There. Doesn't matter if he's blind, the opponent is invisible. He beats the DC by 20, he knows where he is.

Indeed my previous answer wasn't proper. But it was right

The term "pinpoint" is probably the wrong word for them to use here.
Pinpoint isn't a 125 cubic foot space (5x5x5 space) its literally the point of a pin. To me that would mean the 50% miss chance isn't applicable anymore since its location is discerned to within the point of a pin (like 1mm or less)

[heavyfuel]

The term "pinpoint" is probably the wrong word for them to use here.
Pinpoint isn't a 125 cubic foot space (5x5x5 space) its literally the point of a pin. To me that would mean the 50% miss chance isn't applicable anymore since its location is discerned to within the point of a pin (like 1mm or less)

I don't think the rules ever define what "pinpoint" is, but in this case it still has 50% miss chance:

A blinded creature pinpoints targets and deals damage to them as if those targets were invisible.

A character can use Listen to notice the presence of an invisible creature (generally opposed by a Move Silently check). If the character beats the DC by 20 or more, he or she can pinpoint the location of the invisible creature, though it still maintains total concealment from the character (50% miss chance).

[Niwrad]

Q 135: Can a wizard with the abrupt jaunt acf still jaunt as an immediate action even when he or she is nauseated?

[heavyfuel]

A 135

No. Nauseated restricts you to a single move action per turn. Similarly, Check the Contention below. You can't use swift/immediate actions when Staggered

[Seharvepernfan]

Q 136

What "CR" would a CR 3 monster and four CR 1 monsters be?

[bjoern]

Q 136

What "CR" would a CR 3 monster and four CR 1 monsters be?

A136

Use this to calculate all your CR and EL needs.

http://www.d20srd.org/extras/d20encountercalculator/

[Crake]

A 135

No. Nauseated restricts you to a single move action per turn. Similarly, you can't use swift/immediate actions when Staggered

A135 contention

Swift/Immediate actions can be used any time a free action could be used (or even not on your turn for immediate actions) except limited to once per round, and nauseated creatures (and staggered creatures) can still take free actions (except for casting quickened spells in the case of nauseated), so a wizard can still abrupt jaunt while nauseated

[heavyfuel]

Re: A135 contention

A135 contention

Swift/Immediate actions can be used any time a free action could be used (or even not on your turn for immediate actions) except limited to once per round, and nauseated creatures (and staggered creatures) can still take free actions (except for casting quickened spells in the case of nauseated), so a wizard can still abrupt jaunt while nauseated

Indeed you are right. Just checked the Glossary and it says you can make free actions when nauseated (you still can't make them while staggered though). Weirdly, the SRD makes no such mention of free actions

which leads me to:


Q 137

If the SRD has a different definition than the WotC's Glossary, which takes precedence?

[Curmudgeon]

A 137 You have to track down the book sources.

The System Reference Document (SRD) is assembled from multiple book sources. The rule which adjudicates disagreements between rules sources is dependent on which book a particular rule comes from.

Spoiler: Primary Sources Errata Rule

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Errata Rule: Primary Sources

When you find a disagreement between two D&D® rules sources, unless an official errata file says otherwise, the primary source is correct. One example of a primary/secondary source is text taking precedence over a table entry. An individual spell description takes precedence when the short description in the beginning of the spells chapter disagrees.

Another example of primary vs. secondary sources involves book and topic precedence. The Player's Handbook, for example, gives all the rules for playing the game, for playing PC races, and for using base class descriptions. If you find something on one of those topics from the Dungeon Master's Guide or the Monster Manual that disagrees with the Player's Handbook, you should assume the Player's Handbook is the primary source. The Dungeon Master's Guide is the primary source for topics such as magic item descriptions, special material construction rules, and so on. The Monster Manual is the primary source for monster descriptions, templates, and supernatural, extraordinary, and spell-like abilities.

To find out where the different definitions of nauseated come from, we can consult WotC's online glossary:

nauseated

Experiencing stomach distress. Nauseated creatures cannot attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn, plus free actions (except for casting quickened spells).

Source: PHB, DMG

The Player's Handbook definition is on page 310:

nauseated: Experiencing stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn, plus free actions (except for casting quickened spells).

The Dungeon Master's Guide definition is on page 301:

Nauseated: Experiencing stomach distress. Nauseated creatures are unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention. The only action such a character can take is a single move action per turn.

It's clear that the SRD references the shorter definition in the DMG. However, the Primary Sources Errata Rule specifies that the Player's Handbook is the primary source for all the rules for playing the game. In this particular disagreement, the PH is correct: nauseated creatures can take free actions.

So the SRD can be right or wrong; you won't know until you track down the book sources from which the SRD content was derived in order to apply the rule which resolves such disagreements.

[Yogibear41]

Q138

Can A lich heal itself with its own touch attack, since it uses negative energy to deal damage? In a similar manner to a dread necromancer with the tomb-tainted soul feat healing itself with its touch attack.

[Dmdork]

Q139It takes 24 hrs to copy a spell into your spellbook regardless of the lvl of the spell. Is that 24 hrs straight, or can it be broken up, into say 8 hr increments?

[Curmudgeon]

A 139

There is no requirement for continuous writing, just that the whole process takes a total of 24 hours.

[heavyfuel]

A 138

No, as the Lich's touch only works on living creatures; and Yes.

[Dmdork]

Doesn't a liches touch attack do cold dam and therefore cannot heal?

[Curmudgeon]

A 138 [correction] No.

Damage: A lich without natural weapons has a touch attack that uses negative energy to deal 1d8+5 points of damage to living creatures; a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 lich’s HD + lich’s Cha modifier) halves the damage.

The Lich, being undead, cannot affect itself with its touch attack.

[heavyfuel]

A 138 [correction] No. The Lich, being undead, cannot affect itself with its touch attack.

Right... Totally read over the living creature part.

[deuxhero]

Q140 Clerics in Eberron don't need to be in one step of their deity. How does this work with Detect Evil/Law/Chaos/Good? Does an evil Cleric of a good deity have BOTH an evil aura from HD and good aura from the class levels, an aura of good (despite being evil) or what?

[Andezzar]

A 140

Yes. There is no rule saying that a creature can have only one aura. In fact all demons and devils and other creatures with two alignment subtypes have two. Eludecia has all four.

Q 141

If a character has more than one damaged ability score, who gets to decide which ability score is healed by lesser restoration?

[Seppo87]

Q 142
Can the spell "spell immunity" protect against Dispel Magic, and to what extent? (me, my buffs, my equipment?)

[heavyfuel]

A 142

It doesn't. Spell Immunity gives you unbeatable spell resistance. Dispel Magic isn't subjected to SR.

[Curmudgeon]

A 141 The spellcaster.

You make all pertinent decisions about a spell (range, target, area, effect, version, and so forth) when the spell comes into effect.

[Andezzar]

Q 143

Who is the spellcaster when a potion/scroll/wand is used?

Q 144

Is there a way to get an AOE similar to a fireball's AOE (spherical area not centered on the caster) on an eldritch blast?

[Curmudgeon]

A 143 It depends.

"The spellcaster" isn't a single answer for magic items. The item creator supplies the necessary components (including XP), and determines the caster level; they're the spellcaster for those aspects. The item user determines the target for scrolls and wands; they're the spellcaster for that aspect. A potion imbiber is not a caster of a spell, but only a caster of the spell's effect.

Potions are like spells cast upon the imbiber. The character taking the potion doesn’t get to make any decisions about the effect —the caster who brewed the potion has already done so. The drinker of a potion is both the effective target and the caster of the effect (though the potion indicates the caster level, the drinker still controls the effect).

[Andezzar]

Q 143 Follow-Up

Can the user of a scroll/wand make the effect choices (such as which ability score to heal with lesser restoration)? A potion must have that decided by the brewer, right?

[Chronos]

A 143 follow-up:

Correct on all counts.

[bootzin]

Q144: Can the voidmind's Sentient Tentacle wield a weapon (Or at least hold it?)?

Q145: Can the Morphic Weapon from Warshaper change a tentacle into a hand or at least something that can hold a weapon?

Spoiler: Sentient Tentacle

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Sentient Tentacle (Ex): A voidmind creature's tentacle attacks of irs own accord. The creature can direct it to attack certain targets, but the psionic nature of the tentacle enables it to flex and move in combat without hindering the creature's other combat abilities. A voidmind grimlock that has successfully grappled a creature with its tentacle can attack another creature at no penalty, as long as that creature is within a distance equal to the tentacle's reach.

Spoiler: Morphic Weapons

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Morphic Weapons (Su): As a move action, a warshaper can grow natural weapons such as claws or fangs, allowing a natural attack that deals the appropriate amount of damage according to the size of the new form (see Table 5—1 on page 296 of the Monster Manual). These morphic weapons need not be natural weapons that the creature already possesses. For example, a warshaper polymorphed into an ettin (Large giant) could grow a claw that deals 1d6 points of damage, or horns for a gore attack that deals 1d8 points of damage.

EDIT: Some reference about the template and class:
Voidmind:
This is a creature template from Forgotten Realms
http://www.realmshelps.net/monsters/...voidmind.shtml

Warshaper:
This is a 3.5 class with plenty of prereqs, but the monster would quialify into them
http://dndtools.eu/classes/warshaper/

[zergling.exe]

A 145

Morphic Weapons (Su): As a move action, a warshaper can grow natural weapons such as claws or fangs, allowing a natural attack that deals the appropriate amount of damage according to the size of the new form (see Table 5—1 on page 296 of the Monster Manual).

From the rule you provided it only allows natural weapons to make a natural attack. A slam may be able to create a hand (some creatures use their arms), but the hand would only be able to make slam attacks and potentially hold things (not exactly sure on what it could do).